To attain the highest level in healthcare, you should aim at becoming the administrator. Becoming an healthcare administrator is not a work in the park. It requires time, effort and some level of academic exposure. In this article, you will learn the step-by-step procedures involve in attaining the position of a Healthcare Administration including the schools, programs, and salary. Healthcare administration involves the coming together of the entire healthcare system including the physicians, hospitals, health agencies, Specific departments; such as critical care units, and emergency departments, Specific clinical areas; such as nursing, and physical therapy, and other Specific areas, such as staffing, admissions, and finances to achieve a common goal. Their goal is to run the affairs of the healthcare system. Although healthcare administration is focused on the business side of healthcare, it does not change the fact that they see to the quality and highly effective patient care. Additionally, healthcare administrators have a large influence on the availability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare in our communities. Read on to know the history and evolution of Healthcare administration.
A Brief History of Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administration has developed together with advances in medical science and the growth of hospitals around the world. in the early 1800s, hospitals offered little or no support for patients because there were no facilities, equipment, and knowledge of professional medical treatment. However, in the early 20th century, innovations in medicine and anesthesia and also the discovery of antibiotics and the development of modern surgical facilities transformed hospitals into places that could provide treatment and relief pains.
The Evolution of Healthcare Administration
Between 1875 and 1925, the number of hospitals in the U.S. grew from 170 to about 7,000, while the number of hospital beds increased from 35,000 to more than 860,000 and so it became clear that there had to be some kind of training to prepare people to assume and manage the administrative responsibilities. Before the first formal hospital administration and nursing school administration educational programs were established in 1934 at the University of Chicago, nurses often called superintendents took the responsibilities of all administrative roles. The University of Chicago was the first university to offer a Master’s Degree awarding program following the publication of the first book on hospital administration in 1229, entitled Hospital Administration. A Career: The Need for Trained Executives for a Billion Dollar Business, and How They May Be Trained. By the 1940s, eight more universities developed programs. Nine more programs followed in the 1950s, and fifteen more in the 1960s.
The Accreditation
In 1968 the Accrediting Commission on Graduate Education for Hospital Administration (now the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education) became the accrediting agency for graduate programs in health administration. Today, a large group of educational and professional associations sponsors this agency, including the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American College of Medical Practice Executives, the American Public Health Association, the American Hospital Association, and more. Also, Data from the American Hospital Association(AHA) shows that there are:
What Do I Need to Become a Healthcare Administrator?
Healthcare administrators are skilled personnel who manage the business operations of medical Industries such as hospitals, clinics, and community health centers. If you want to pursue a career in this field, there are certain steps you have to obtain the necessary qualifications, skill, and licensure.
Colleges for Healthcare Management
Obtaining a degree in healthcare management prepares you for management and supervisory positions within these settings. Correspondingly, pursuing an advanced degree can become a CEO, CFO, or other executive and help shape the future vision of that healthcare organization. To obtain a healthcare management position at this level, it is important to choose the right affordable degree program. Below is a list of affordable institutions for those looking to advance in health care management Careers.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-North Carolina
The University of North Carolina is known as a Public Ivy League institution that offers quality education for an affordable price. The school is ranked 5th position in nation US News & World Report in their list of top public institutions and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Basically, UNC offers a Master’s in healthcare courses including Healthcare Management Skills; Health Care in the United States Structure and Policy; Statistical Methods for Health Policy and Management; Healthcare Policy and Economics of Healthcare Insurance. The CAHME accredited program takes approximately two years to complete. Those in the executive program take courses online and come to campus three times per year to network and engage in practical management activities. Students complete a capstone project and a leadership practicum prior to graduation. for more information about the school, click on the website below.
Winston-Salem State University-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem State University is a public, historically black university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
The school also offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and a Masters of Healthcare Administration. Courses for the MHA including Leading Organizations; Project Management; Decision Analysis in Healthcare; Healthcare Marketing; Medical Informatics are offered in a hybrid format of online and onsite.
Courses that are onsite meet during the evening or on weekends to accommodate working professionals. Students move through the program as a cohort which is typically limited to 20 students.
Western Carolina University-Cullowhee, North Carolina
Western Carolina University is a public institution founded in 1889 and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. WCU is ranked #37 by US News & World Report in its list of best Regional Universities of the South. WCU offers a Master of Health Sciences with a concentration in Health Management courses including Leadership Strategies; Cost Containment; Medicare & Medicaid; Health Care Marketing; Problem Solving and Decision Making. The program can be completed online. Students need to complete either a guided research project or thesis to meet graduation requirements. See the school website below for more information.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute at Utica-Rome-Utica, New York
The State University of New York (SUNY) Polytechnic Institute is the world’s most advanced research institution with over 300 corporate partners. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. SUNY offers an MBA in Technology Management with a concentration in Health Services Management courses including Health Care Systems; Health Care Marketing/Strategic Planning; Financial Management for Health Care Organizations; Quantitative Business Analysis; Project Management. The program can be completed fully online on either a part-time or full-time basis. Faculty are known for their strong academic credentials.
Trine University-Fort Wayne, Indiana
Trine University is a private institution located on a 450 acre campus and founded in 1884. Trine University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission and offers a Master of Science in Leadership with a Healthcare Systems Studies concentration. The coursework is offered online in courses including Leadership and Management of Healthcare Systems; Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Leadership; Qualitative Decision Making; Organization and Economics of Healthcare Delivery Systems; Healthcare Systems Capstone. The program follows a cohort format and the purpose is to expand the understanding of what it means to be a leader as well as best practices within healthcare leadership and management positions.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public sea and space grant institution accredited by the North Central Association of College and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission and is ranked the 29th best college in the county by US News & World Reports. UM offers a Master of Health Services Administration program appropriate for professionals, policy analysts, planners, and consultants in courses including Health Services Systems; Professional Development; Healthcare Accounting; Heath Policy; Law or Political Science. Several joint degree options are also offered including a joint MHSA/Master of Nursing Administration, MHSA/Juris Doctor, MHSA/Master of Public Policy, and MHSA/MBA. Students can complete their MHSA degree in approximately two years. Students gain additional professional experience during a 10-12 week internship.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Jersey
Rutgers University is a public research institution and the largest university in the state of New Jersey accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Carnegie Classification for Rutgers is Research Intensive University-Very High Research Activity. Rutgers is ranked 34th in the country and 52nd in the world by Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). The school offers a Master of Science in Health Care Management for established professionals in the health care field in courses including Evidence-Based Literature Review; Multi-disciplinary Dimensions of Clinical Systems Management; Principles of Trans-Cultural Health Care; Social & Healthcare Policy for the Older Adult; The ABC’s of Managed Care. Students complete the program part-time. Courses are offered online in 8-15 week sessions.
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health-Omaha, Nebraska
Nebraska Methodist College is a private college accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission and offers degrees in nursing and allied health professions. The school offers two different master degrees in Healthcare Management courses including Leadership and Management; Change Management; Individual and Team Creativity; Managing Team and Group Dynamics; Organizational Learning through Mentoring/Mentorship. Basically, the Health Promotion Management program integrates health and wellness with areas of business. The program is offered online and students learn how improving employee wellness benefits the bottom line. The Healthcare Operations Management Program is also offered online and provides a foundation for seeking leadership and management positions in the health care field.
University of St. Francis-Joliet, Illinois
The University of St. Francis is a private institution with ties to the Roman Catholic Church accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. USF offers a Master of Science in Health Administration designed for students with experience in the field. Courses offered include Organizational and Human Resource Management; Medical Sociology; Health Economics and Policy; Health Information and Analytics; Health Care Finance and are primarily online with some courses meeting in the evening or on a six-all day Saturday sessions. The degree program can be completed in just 15 months. Those students preferring not to take courses online can participate in the on-campus program.
Midway College-Midway, Kentucky
Midway College is a small, private institution located in the heart of Kentucky accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The main campus is home to Kentucky’s only Women’s College. MC offers a 100% online MBA with a specialization in Health Care Administration courses which includes Advanced Health Care Financial Management; Health Care Politics and Policy; Advanced Health Care Management; Ethics and Management Dilemmas in Health Care; Capstone in Health Care. The program provides business knowledge focused on the health care industry. Students can expect diverse coursework offerings related to economics, statistics and quantitative analysis to help professionals make educated business decisions.
How Much is a Healthcare Administrator Salary?
The 2016 median annual health care administrator’s salary was $96,540. Half of all health care administrators earned less than this amount and half earned more. Salaries for 2016 ranged from $56,970 for the lowest 10 percent to $172,240 for the highest 10 percent. Bureau of Labour Statistics shows that in 2017 Healthcare administrators working in 2017 had an average mean salary of $98,350 per year and $47.29 per hour. Like other medical field careers, employment for healthcare administrators or managers as of 2017 was expected to grow 20%, creating lots of opportunity and stability in the field. Also, according to Payscale.com, those with a Bachelor of Science in Health Services earn, on average, $48,573 annually. Entry-level administrators with a bachelor’s degree earn between $24,730 and $58,175 annually, and that figure increases with experience.
Conclusion
Becoming a professional and successful healthcare administrator requires a lot of hard work and it all starts with a burning desire to lead and also an in-depth understanding of the healthcare industry. Although the range of talents acquired by some of the best healthcare administrators varies, there is a need for a Master in Healthcare Administration degree. There are many accredited and reputable universities around the world that offer the educational background that you need to be a professional in this field. In summary, it is a combination of the educational process and practical experience at the place of work that makes one a successful administrator.
Reference
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Below are the Career Possibilities in Health Care Administration> Hospital CEO.> Hospital CFO (chief financial officer)> Nursing home administrator.> Clinic administrator.> Hospital department manager.> Medical office business manager.> Dental office administrator.> Chiropractor office manager. Obtain a bachelor’s degree, and focus on maintaining a good scholastic record;Earn a master’s degree in areas including healthcare administration, business administration, public health and Gain relevant work experience. There is no track information for nursing administrators specifically. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median salary for all medical and health services managers to be $98,350 per year. The lowest 10 percent of administrators like those in entry-level positions earned less than $53,940 annually, with mean wages of $25.93 per hour.The top 10 percent of administrators (e.g. those in executive positions) earned more than $150,560 annually, with mean wages of $72.39 per hour. There is a huge demand for healthcare service managers. The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics proposed that between 2010 and 2020, the profession is expected to grow by 22 percent. In fact, Career options are vast and there is a huge demand for educated healthcare service managers. Does this article meet your immediate needs? if yes, kindly share with your friends. Also, remember to leave a comment on the comment box to express your concern or ask the question.
